Landlord thinks Tenant brought Bedbugs from out of State.
Question
I have a tenant that moved from California and my belief is that he brought bedbugs with him. He reported that he started seeing little bugs soon after moving in and that they bit him. I immediately went in and inspected the apartment and could not find anything. I asked him if he could capture one so I could show the extermination company what they will be dealing with. Sure enough it was a bedbug. I had pest professionals take care of the problem and after 3 treatments the bugs are still present. Does anyone know what kills these bugs and how to get rid of them? I spent already about $750 and no positive results yet.
Answer
Bedbugs are back, everywhere and with a vengeance. Certain factors such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ban on the use of DDT, the increase in international travel to countries and immigration from countries with bedbug populations, the world population growth, and the increasing mobility of U.S. society in general have produced a significant increase in bedbug populations. The number of bedbug cases in the U.S. is growing rapidly and is projected to become an even bigger problem in the future.
Self-help treatments are rarely effective and not advisable, as they come with great risks, notably an increased probability of lawsuits. Since bedbugs can go as long as one year between feedings, a “wait and see” attitude to starve them out is not feasible.
Professionals have more potent chemicals than are available to the public and can swiftly and effectively deal with the problem. This can include insecticidal dusts, contact insecticides, and insect growth regulators. Multiple treatments may be required at scheduled intervals over several months and depending upon the circumstances can be quite costly.
Even in states where there are no specific habitability statutes, courts have held that all residential leases contain an “implied warranty of habitability.” In general, vermin are considered a habitability issue. Housing regulations in many jurisdictions explicitly require the landlord to keep the premises free from vermin and the regulations usually do not make any allowance for cost.
The mere presence of bedbugs might subject a landlord to possible rent reductions at the very least and, in the worst-case scenario, might result in lawsuits for constructive eviction even though the landlord has diligently attempted to eradicate the infestations and even if eventually successful in doing so. There is even the possibility of claims regarding damage to the health of tenants. Within recent years, courts have awarded tenants judgments related to bedbugs, in some cases for tens of thousands of dollars. Accordingly, landlords who receive tenant claims of bedbug infestation should address those claims immediately and must continue to attack the problem no matter how long it takes and how much it costs.
You did not mention the number of units, but, since you use the word “apartment,” I assume you may be dealing with a multi-unit building. Every unit in a multi-unit building should usually be treated. I would not consider $750 to be a large expenditure when solving such a problem. While you say that you used “pest professionals,” you don’t say whether they were properly licensed under your state’s law and that they are experienced in dealing with bedbugs, as different vermin require different treatment. Even if they were adequately licensed and experienced, you might consider trying a different vendor chosen from referrals provided by property management companies in your area.